5 records that could be rewritten in the FIFA 2018 World Cup

5) Oldest player to appear in the competition

Egypt’s Essam El-Hadary could break the record for becoming the oldest player to feature in the World Cup if the goalkeeper does make it to the 23-man squad. Currently the record is held by Colombia’s Faryd Mondragon who featured in the last edition at the age of 43 and 3 years old against Japan. With vast experience and Egypt’s relatively young squad, the manager might just be tempted into bringing El-Hadary along. Though, there’s no doubt where all the eyes will be at when Egypt play.

4) The most meetings between two teams

The above record is of 7 games currently held by the pair of Brazil, Sweden and Germany and Serbia along with Germany and Argentina. Germany and Argentina have met in each of the last three editions including the final of the world cup in Brazil, where Mario Gotze broke Argentinian hearts to give Die Mannschafft the cup. This year, as well, it is very much likely that these teams will come up against each other. All Brazil and Sweden need to do is finish either top or second in their respective groups while Argentina and Germany could meet in the quarter finals if both top their respective groups.

3) The first team to finish fourth consecutively two times

Brazil will have to be wary of achieving this record, because it is nothing less than faltering at the business end of the world cup, where each defeat leaves a sour taste. The Seleccao will probably never forget the embarrassment of 2014 World Cup semifinal against Germany in their own backyard and thereafter, the Dutch too defeated them exposing Brazil’s frailty. A repeat of events would see Brazil achieve the feat no has managed to achieve as yet. Moreover, they would become the record holder with Uruguay for finishing the fourth the most times with the latter having finished in the fourth place thrice.

2)The longest gap between winning two World Cups

The dreadful record is currently held by Italy, who will not be featuring at this year’s edition. The Italians had to wait 44 years for the next world cup after they won it in 1938. Uruguay and England , if win the glory, will break the above record with both now having gone more than a half century without winning the title. Moreover, the two nations’ last appearance in the final was when they won the title themselves. Looking at England’s squad, the three lions’ faithful will be hopeful as this is perhaps the most cohesive English squad in recent memory led by the killer of a striker in Harry Kane. Uruguay, while not equally cohesive, possess two of the very best marksman in their ranks in Cavani and Suarez, and will be pinning their hopes on them to end the long wait.

1)Most penalty shootouts won

Germany and Argentina hold the above record currently with both having won 4 shootouts so far in the competition. The Germans can take further pride in the fact that they have yet to lose a penalty shootout, whereas for Argentina, they have participated in the most shootouts. Their last shootout win was against the Dutch in the semifinal of the last edition. England hold the record for the most disappointing performance in the world cup in the shootouts. The Three lions will certainly have a lot to prove in this year’s campaign.